It has been an interesting week. The weather has been all over the map, but in the end turned warmer. We are now into the hot and humid. This afternoon we got a shot of humidity related rain with more reported to be in store for tonight. It's not that we need it, but we'll not turn it away.
This week marked the first pulling of old, spent plants. The early planted spinach and lettuce gave way to the planting of bush beans: green and yellow. Right now, we have 30 seeds in and will start to think about succession planting. Harvesting lots of lettuce, spinach, beet greens from #2, as #3 planting is coming right along. Nothing better than a fresh green salad.
Peas #1 are in full bloom. Seems the heat and humidity have just pushed them to the next stage. #2 and #3 are coming right along. Expect a good harvest as they will come in waves. Expect that they will be done just about the time it is ready for the next planting of greens.
We continue to harvest the asparagus. Taking about 3-6#'s per week. Some in the freezer, some on the BBQ. Great year for the green stalk. Will look for the weekend of the 4th to be the end of the harvest. At that time, will weed and compost heavy. Time to get ready for next year.
The cole crops are coming right along. All of the early planted broccoli are in head and will probably cut next week for raw eating. This will set us up for great shoots later in the year. The cauliflower is coming right along as is the brussel sprouts.
Tomato and pepper plants are a little behind. The cooler wet weather in early June certainly put them behind. Looks like they are starting to catch up.
Snapped all of the garlic scapes last night. Should be a great year for garlic. All of the cloves that were put in the ground last year have materialized into plants.
Took the opportunity to take some of the compost liquor (some would say tea, but I would put it more as the seepage from a strong batch) and use it as a side dress around the cole crops, peppers, and tomato plants. Didn't look like we killed anything but, you never know.
The late plants of broccoli are coming along just fine. Transplanted them into individual pots and they are liking being in the hot sun. Needing to keep them watered, sometimes twice per day.
Tonight's dinner was grilled chicken, lettuce salad, grilled onions and mushrooms. MMMMmmm good.
Stay safe, more pics soon.
Bill
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
My weekly update.... Late.... Sorry
Ok, I have no been considerate of those that might want to see some pictures. Actually, it has been very busy lately and given the fact that we have had some continuing weird weather, I have actually done some other things that needed to get done. The other excuse that I can use is that we had to get a new charger for the digital camera battery. Seems someone (me) decided that it was not all that necessary (probably left it in IL at the hotel). None the less, here we are.
Have been having a grand old time making compost. As can be seen in the picture, we use the Compost Tumbler to mix kitchen scraps, weeds, grass clippings and two really large piles of chopped leaves from last year. Right now, we have two of the black bins full of rough compost and the compost tumbler is filled with its third batch this year. Checked the temperature early today and glad to report it was cooking right along at 155. Added some extra leaves to it as the mix was a little too wet. In another 2 weeks, we will have another batch to discharge. Don't need the compost right now but there will be need in the next 6 weeks either in the asparagus or brassica beds.
This picture shows the progress of our brassica. A lot of these were stagger planted through April. In general, the broccoli and brussel sprouts are in the 12-14" height area. I would expect to see some heads forming quickly. The weather has been just perfect for the cool season crops. At the far end of the bed are 3 cauliflower. I have never had a whole bunch of success with this crop, but am willing to give a the college try. We'll see. If you look real close at the bottom of the picture you will see another cage. Inside are my fall broccoli. They will go into the garlic beds for a later crop, up until the frost hits.
They may look small but there is a secret lurking. These plants are in the ground about three weeks. There is as much or more buried in the ground as you see above the ground. My success with tomato plants has been to bury them deep and let them fend for themselves. The root mass they form will keep them going through the heat of summer. These guys are really coming along. The fruit will not be early, but it will be good.
Peas and lettuce.
You are looking at our first planting (around 4.11) We have already eaten through this lettuce, spinach and beets. The lettuce will give up another crops and we will get some great leaves from the spinach before it goes to the compost pile. Have to tell you that one is not able to buy this in the store. A little balsamic and EVOO is all it takes to make a great meal. Last night we had a piece of grilled salmon on it.
Cucumbers and Garlic
Interplanted the cucumbers into the greens bed (see above pics). Really taking hold, it will soon be time for the trellis to go up. Looking forward to the fresh cucumbers. The garlic is, well garlic. We go through a lot of it, it does a great job of coming up every spring and it opens beds up for a late planting of beans, peas, and greens. Have not spotted the scapes yet, but they aren't that far away.
Hope this gets you caught up a little. We have also been weeding and keeping the perennials going after splitting. Could use a little heat and rain. Should see the rain over the weekend. We're off to visit the relatives again this weekend. Need to slow down a little bit.
Be good, be safe.
Bill
Have been having a grand old time making compost. As can be seen in the picture, we use the Compost Tumbler to mix kitchen scraps, weeds, grass clippings and two really large piles of chopped leaves from last year. Right now, we have two of the black bins full of rough compost and the compost tumbler is filled with its third batch this year. Checked the temperature early today and glad to report it was cooking right along at 155. Added some extra leaves to it as the mix was a little too wet. In another 2 weeks, we will have another batch to discharge. Don't need the compost right now but there will be need in the next 6 weeks either in the asparagus or brassica beds.
This picture shows the progress of our brassica. A lot of these were stagger planted through April. In general, the broccoli and brussel sprouts are in the 12-14" height area. I would expect to see some heads forming quickly. The weather has been just perfect for the cool season crops. At the far end of the bed are 3 cauliflower. I have never had a whole bunch of success with this crop, but am willing to give a the college try. We'll see. If you look real close at the bottom of the picture you will see another cage. Inside are my fall broccoli. They will go into the garlic beds for a later crop, up until the frost hits.
They may look small but there is a secret lurking. These plants are in the ground about three weeks. There is as much or more buried in the ground as you see above the ground. My success with tomato plants has been to bury them deep and let them fend for themselves. The root mass they form will keep them going through the heat of summer. These guys are really coming along. The fruit will not be early, but it will be good.
Peas and lettuce.
You are looking at our first planting (around 4.11) We have already eaten through this lettuce, spinach and beets. The lettuce will give up another crops and we will get some great leaves from the spinach before it goes to the compost pile. Have to tell you that one is not able to buy this in the store. A little balsamic and EVOO is all it takes to make a great meal. Last night we had a piece of grilled salmon on it.
Cucumbers and Garlic
Interplanted the cucumbers into the greens bed (see above pics). Really taking hold, it will soon be time for the trellis to go up. Looking forward to the fresh cucumbers. The garlic is, well garlic. We go through a lot of it, it does a great job of coming up every spring and it opens beds up for a late planting of beans, peas, and greens. Have not spotted the scapes yet, but they aren't that far away.
Hope this gets you caught up a little. We have also been weeding and keeping the perennials going after splitting. Could use a little heat and rain. Should see the rain over the weekend. We're off to visit the relatives again this weekend. Need to slow down a little bit.
Be good, be safe.
Bill
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